Relax, I am Being Serious
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword.
Flashback
Link's telepathic bond with Red
Link laid in bed sleeping. A nightmare taking a hold of him. For the past month he had been having nightmares. This one he was in a black room. In front of him was a huge black monster with giant sharp teeth and black mist coming off of it. It growled at him. A purplish light appeared above the terrifying monster.
From that light came a voice. "Rise, Link...The time has come for you to awaken...You are fated to have a hand in a great destiny, and it will soon find you...The time has come for you to awaken...Link..."
The voice and light soon disappeared as the gigantic monster reared his head and let out a horrifying growl causing Link to cover his face with his arm. When the monster finished he removed his arm from his eyes. He turned to look around and came face to face with Zelda's blue loftwing.
Link shouted, well screamed in shock before falling of his bed. Zelda's loftwing's head was through his window staring at him. Link swore there was amusement in her eyes. She stared at him a minute more before spitting a letter at him. She left the window afterwards. A couple of her feathers were left behind and slowly floated to the ground.
He grabbed the letter before standing up. He rubbed the back of his head to ease the pain. He looked over the letter before opening it and reading the contents.
Hey, Sleepyhead.
I know how much you like to sleep in, so I'm guessing this letter will be your alarm clock this morning. Did I guess right?
Rise and shine, Link!
Today's the Wing Ceremony!
You promised to meet me before it starts, remember!
You better not keep me waiting.
-Zelda
Link sighs before putting the letter on the desk. He goes over to his closet to grab his clothes. He is amused to find a blue rupee at the bottom. He picks it up and puts it in his wallet. He then changes into his white boxers. He then puts on his beige long sleeve shirt with the blue markings. Next he pulls on his dark green pants and black boots. He ties his red and white wrap around his waist before putting on the brown belt and his blue earrings. He quickly brushed his hair and teeth before leaving.
Across the hall is a senior at the knight academy, Pipit. Link blushed lightly before heading the other way to avoid him. Ever since they were kids Link had a crush on the older boy.
Near the kitchen/dining area I notice Fledge trying to lift a barrel. I feel sorry for him. Groose picks on him so much for being weak. I know he has been working out but not enough to lift the heavy barrel. I walk over to him to offer him some help.
"Fledge?" Link asked softly.
"Good morning, Link! Today's the big Wing Ceremony, right? I wanted to fly too, but I... I didn't make the cut, so I'm stuck back here at the academy." Link felt really bad for him but he refused Link's offer for help. "Plus, I've got to move these barrels over to the kitchen. I was hoping to at least be able to cheer you on, Link, but...I guess that's the way it goes. Go out there and wow them, buddy!" Link smiled at him before Fledge returned to the barrel.
Link decided to help out by picking up the other barrel for him. Fledge stopped what he was doing when he noticed.
"Aww, thanks. I didn't think you had time to help me out, Link."
"No problem!" Link replied with a grin.
"Really? Thanks! Ok, so...I need you to carry one of these barrels over to the old lady who works in the kitchen." Fledge said.
Slowly and carefully Link began to carry the barrel to the kitchen. Luckily for Link the kitchen was close by so it wasn't that far away. Once Link was in the kitchen area he placed the barrel down to catch a breath before picking it back up and walking towards the old lady. He grunted as he walked up the few steps and as soon as he was near the place the barrel down next to her.
She turned at looked at Link. "What's all this? I thought I told Fledge to carry that! Bah, it's probably for the best...That skinny boy would probably have gotten flattened." She said causing Link to frown. "Say...don't you have some important ceremony or some such today? Hmph! Well, thanks for the help." She said with a smile.
Link nodded at her before leaving. He went over to Fledge to let him know that the barrel was with the old lady.
"Thanks! That was a huge help, Link!" Fledge said with a grin. "I know that it's not much, but here is half of the pay the old lady offered me to do that." He handed Link a red rupee. "I have to stay back and watch the academy today. Good luck with the ceremony, Link!"
"Thanks Fledge."
"You're welcome."
Link turned and left out the door. He didn't get far when he heard his named and turned towards the voice.
"Hey, Link! Up here!"
The person who called out to him was instructor Horwell. Link smiled at the man and waited for him to continue speaking.
"Good morning to you, Link! Today's finally the day of the long-awaited Wing Ceremony!" Horwell said cheerfully. "Are you feeling ready? Oh, I just remembered. There's something I'd like to ask you about. It feels a little silly to carry on a conversation from this distance. Why don't you come join me up here?"
Link nodded before looking around. He knew that the upstairs door was still locked so he had to find a different way up. He saw too crates stacked on top of each other. They were next to a small ledge that once connected to the on in front of that. The other ledge led to the top. Link grinned.
He walked a good distance away before dashing. Once he was near he stepped once on the bottom crate and used that to force himself up high enough to grab a hold of the top crate. He hoisted himself up on the crate before climbing on the ledge.
Link backed up a bit before he began running. He jumped once he was a few inches away and landed on the other side. He stepped over the small raised edge of the building.
As soon as he was near Horwell began speaking again. "So what are you up to? Rushing to get some last-minute bird-riding practice in this morning, Link?" Link shook his head. "Oh?"
"I am meeting someone."
"You have someone to meet? Ah, Zelda's waiting for you, is she?" Link nodded. "Perfect timing, then?" Link tilted his head silently asking why his timing was perfect. "You see, Zelda's father- Headmaster Gaepora- has a pet named Mia, and, well...she's scampered off again. Look! Over there! Do you see her?" He pointed over to where the lemur was. "The headmaster is so busy working with Zelda preparing for the ceremony...I thought that maybe I should feed her, but the ceremony is about to start and I just put on a fresh set of clothes and, well...you...see...Will you help me out and go retrieve Mia for me?"
Link resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his neat freak instructor. "I'm on it!"
"Fantastic! So you'll do it?! I know you're in a hurry, so I really appreciate your taking the time to help. You should be able to climb up somewhere over there. If you hang off that ledge there, you can climb onto the roof from the other side. I'm terribly sorry, but I know you're quite the climber! I really do appreciate it."
Link just smiled at his instructor to let him know that he didn't mind at all. He was right about him being a climber since he was known for climbing to high up places. He had seen the wooded edge on the school. He ran towards it and kicked off the side to boost himself up.
He grabbed the edge and hung off from that. He slowly began moving around the building until he came to a piece of the roof. He let go and dropped onto that. He dashed to the edge and jumped to the next section of roof.
There were vines on the side that led up. Link smiled and quickly climbed up to the higher roof. He moved to the crate and began pushing it to the side so that he could use it to climb to where Mia was.
Link picked her up and jump down to the lower roof. He walked to the other side and jumped down since that put him right next to Horwell. He placed Mia down in front of him.
"Nice work! You've brought her back safe and sound! Sorry for troubling you with this. I know you're busy, Link! I suppose I should feed Mia now...Please tell the headmaster that we found his pet. He should be up by the Statue of the Goddess. I believe Zelda is there with him, so you should hurry along." Link nodded in thanks.
He ran off towards the Statue of the Goddess. He stopped when he saw Jakamar in front of the gate. Link ran over to greet him.
"Morning Jakamar."
"Mornin', Link. How's life? Did you manage to get even a wink of sleep last night?"
Link blushed lightly and gave a shrug that caused the older man to laugh knowingly. Link had been too excited to get much sleep and no one knew about his nightmares.
"Figured you might've been tossin' and turnin' all night thinkin' about the big ceremony today."
"What are you doing?"
"What am I doin'? Oh just fixin' this gate here...It's been squeaky lately and we can't have that on the day of the ceremony!" He said causing Link to nod his head in agreement. "Hey, you haven't forgotten to send your prayers to the goddess this morning, have you?"
The look on Link's face made him knew that he hadn't and was glad that he had said something to Link. Link shook his head not realizing that Jakamar figured out that he didn't already.
"As you know, those bird statues are all over Skyloft. It's about time you get into the habit of stoppin' at a statue every time you run by one. Try not forgetting in your excitement."
Link nodded and ran back to the statue to give his prayers to the goddess. Jakamar nodded satisfied before going back to work. Link then continued to the Statue of the Goddess.
As he entered the area first thing Link noticed was Zelda's loftwing flying around the Statue of the Goddess. Next he saw Zelda. A fond and happy grin made its way to his face. He heard her singing the Ballad of the Goddess. Link also noticed her dress. It was similar to the one her mother used to wear only this dress was pink instead of violet.
"Oh youth, guided by the servant of the goddess... Unite earth and sky... Bring light to the land..." Zelda sang softly as she played a harp. She stopped when she saw Link. "Hey! Good morning Link."
"Morning." Link said softly.
Zelda gave a slight giggle. "I'm glad to see that my Loftwing got you out of bed."
Link rolled his eyes before sticking out his tongue at her. She giggled more at him. Link was so immature at times but so was she.
"I was pretty sure you'd sleep in and forget to meet me." She held out the harp for him to see. "But look at this instrument! And look at this outfit! They're mine to use today in the ceremony, since I will be playing the role of the goddess. Aren't they beautiful? Especially this instrument! They tell me it's just like the one the goddess was said to have in the legends. And look at these clothes! I made this wrap myself, and we get to use in today's ceremony! Between the harp and this outfit, I'm going to make a great goddess today! I got up early this morning because I wanted you to be the first to see me like this, Link!" She twirled to give Link a full view of her outfit. "So... How do I look?"
Link grinned. "You look great. Isn't that the same style of dress that your mother used to wear only pink?"
"Hah, I think so too! But it's nice to know you agree. Thanks, Link. Yes, this is the same style. Mom had a dress made after she was the goddess back when father took part in the wing ceremony. She made it violet though since it was her favorite color." Link was glad to see that she didn't start crying at the mention of her mother.
"I thought so."
"Ah, there you are, Zelda. Are you all prepared for today's ceremony?" The two teens turned, startled, by the voice behind Link. It was Zelda's father.
"Oh. hello, Father."
"Hello headmaster."
"Ah, Link, you're here too. Outstanding. It's encouraging to see you up so early, given your capacity to sleep." Link stuck out his tongue causing the headmaster to chuckle and Zelda to laugh. "No doubt today's ceremony had you too excited to close your eyes for once!"
"I rescued your pet for Horwell to feed and this is the thanks I get?" Link grumbled.
"Thank you for that. Now if you win today's ceremonial race, you'll get to participate in the post race ritual with Zelda, so give it your best out there."
"Yes sir."
"Yes. About that...Father, I don't know if he can do it!" Link jump back and closed his eyes in surprise. "Recently Link hasn't been practicing much at all for the ceremony!"
Link should have known that she was going to do this. She was scared that Groose, the town bully, would win and she would have to be alone with him. Link was her only hope.
"And even when he's out riding his Loftwing, he's just lazily gliding around. Probably daydreaming!" Link blushed and looked down at the ground. "I don't know what he is thinking. He's going to have to be in perfect control of his bird to win today."
"No need to worry yourself, Zelda. Though you may have a point. Today's Wing Ceremony tests the skill of the rider as well as his bond to his bird. Victory will not come easily. And, as you have pointed out, I haven't seen him practicing as hard as some of the other students."
Link sighed. Somehow he was always ganged up on. He couldn't help it though. Link never liked pushing his bird too much.
"But you've known him since you were both very little. You should know better than to fret about him!"
Link's eyes widened a little. That was new. Usually he was ganged up on, lectured, and then made to go practice hard.
"You see, Link and his Loftwing share a special connection. I've never seen anything quite like it." That caused Link to grin. They all looked up into the sky. "As you know, each of us in Skyloft is but one half of a pair. We are only made whole by our Loftwings, the guardian birds that the goddess bestows upon each of us as a symbol of her divine protection. When we are young, every one of us meets our Loftwing under the great Statue of the Goddess. It's quite a big moment, as I'm sure you recall. Ahh, but that first meeting between Link and his Loftwing was extraordinary."
They looked over at Link only to see a dreamy look on his face. He remembered that first meeting. It had been seven years ago when he was ten.
Flashback:
A young and nervous Link stepped in the circular area under the Statue of the Goddess. He was scared and the only support he had was from Zelda and the headmaster. Link shook his head. It was no time thinking about his parent's death.
He could hear Groose, the island bully, calling him names and making fun of him. He heard the people breathing as they waited silently. Link took a deep breath and put his fingers to his mouth and gave a shrill whistle.
Unlike with Zelda and the rest of the children, no answer was heard as soon as he whistled. He began to tear up. Groose was laughing about him being too much of a stupid, lazy freak to have a bird. No one stopped him in favor of staring at Link in pity.
Just as the headmaster went to go comfort Link, a massive red blur came swooping down. In grabbed the back of Link's shirt and thrusted him upwards before catching him and landing.
Every one stared in shock. Link was sitting upon a Crimson Loftwing. Everyone had believed that this type of Loftwing had gone extinct only for one to pop up.
"Hello Loftwing." Link said in excitement. "My name is Link." A cawing sound responded but Link heard the words clearly.
"Hello Link. I am Red!"
"It is nice to meet you Red!"
"Nice to meet you too."
No one moved for a while but once they heard Link talking they began to cheer. Link never notice the look of jealousy on Zelda's face.
He and the Loftwing flew off afterwards.
End Flashback.
Link focused again as the headmaster continued to talk. "The bird that came to him was a Crimson Loftwing. It is a breed so rare we were sure for some time that it had vanished from the line. Yes, and the boy and his bird seemed to share a profound connection from the moment they met."
Link blushed when he heard that. He could still remember how proud the headmaster had been after that meeting.
"Do you recall when Link and that Loftwing of his first met? What a sight! The little boy was flung up into the air and caught by that Loftwing. Soon after they gracefully flew away, without even a moment of instruction! They were meant for each other."
Of course Zelda remembered. She had been so angry with herself for being jealous and angry at Link for something that wasn't his fault. Zelda had spent a week making it up to a confused Link.
"And judging by how jealous you were that day, I'd say the friendship he shared with his bird didn't go unnoticed by you, my dear."
Meanwhile Link went back to looking at the sky. He closed his eyes but opened the up once he realized he couldn't since his bird anywhere in the sky. In fact, he believed that he could feel a little bit of panic but it was gone before he could make sure.
The other two didn't notice. "Ah, but who could blame you? I'm sure you weren't the only one envious of the powerful bond shared by Link and his bird. Anyone who is a part of something special is bound to catch some nasty looks sooner or later, hoo hoo."
This contest is nothing to laugh at, Father! This ceremony is part of the final test for those training to become knights of Skyloft!" Her father backed up a bit and started motioning for her to calm down. "If Link doesn't fly fast enough during the race...What if Link messes up his big chance...What if he's not allowed to become a knight?"
"Calm down, my dear. It will be fine. Honestly, it's almost as though you become a completely different person when you worry about Link."
She turned away and blushed. It was true what her father told her. She looked at Link and ran over to him.
"Listen, Link, you'd better fly your heart out today. At the very least, you need to squeeze in a little practice time before the race!"
Her father watched in amusement as she dragged him to the edge. She always looked out for Link in her own special way.
"Come on! You'll thank me later!"
Link wasn't too sure about that.
"Here we are. Go on now. Jump off the edge and call your Loftwing. It's almost time for the ceremony, so try to practice seriously for once!" Link's eyes widened.
"No wait! I can't do that! I can't sense Red at all!"
"Hmm? Oh yeah? You can't "sense" your bird out there?" Link nodded frantically. "Oh, I get it. You're trying to weasel out of having to practice! Nice try, but you're not fooling me." Link couldn't believe that she thought that he was lying. "Off you go!" And with that she gave him one final push and off the edge he went. "Ok, Link, go ahead! Remember to whistle so that your bird can hear you!"
As he fell he did as he was told even though he had a feeling that Red wasn't going to show up.
Her father made it over and looked down. "Hmm...His bird sure is taking a long time to get here."
Zelda gasped in shock when she figured out that Link was right. His bird wasn't going to show up.
"Something's wrong!" She quickly jumped off to go help.
As soon as she whistled her Loftwing caught her and they both flew down as fast as they could to save Link. Her Loftwing grabbed Link in her talons and Zelda began flying back towards Skyloft.
"Hang in there, Link! I've got you!"
She dropped him before she and Zelda landed. The poor thing was out of breath from bushing hard to save Link.
"Are you two all right?" The headmaster asked Link and Zelda in concern.
Link nodded and Zelda began rubbing her Loftwing's neck. "I'm sorry, friend, I didn't mean to push you so hard. You didn't sprain your wing, did you?"
"This is very odd, Link." The headmaster said looking around for Red. "What could have possibly happened to your Loftwing? For a bird to ignore the call of his master...It's unheard of!"
The headmaster wasn't the only one confused. Link was also but now he knew for certain that he did feel his bird's panic and felt horrible for not looking for Red earlier.
Link stood up while the headmaster asked him a question. "And you still can't sense your bird nearby, eh, Link?"
Link nodded to confirm the headmaster's question. The headmaster could see the fear and worry in Link's eyes.
"This is quite a problem, especially considering the Wing Ceremony is about to start..." Link didn't care about that but stayed silent to hear what else the headmaster was going to say.
"Link, when you said you couldn't sense your Loftwing, well...I should have believed you... I'm sorry."
"It's alright Zelda. I know you were just trying to help me."
"Thanks. I need to tend to my own Loftwing, so I'll catch up with you later. You'd better go on ahead and see if you can find where your bird has gone!"
No one had a chance to speak since the bell rang. That meant that the ceremony was going to begin.
"My, how did it get to be so late? If I recall correctly, this year Instructor Horwell is presiding over the ceremony. Link, you should go explain the situation to him and see if he's willing to delay the race a little so that you can find your bird." Link nodded. Maybe he saw where Red is.
Zelda giggled. "But, Father, you're the headmaster of the academy! If Link asks Instructor Horwell, he'll probably just come talk to you about it."
"Ah, quite true. As usual, you make an excellent point, my dear. Very well, I'll explain the situation to him myself. Link, run along and tell Instructor Horwell to come see me in my quarters."
"Okay." The headmaster left after that.
Don't worry Red I'm coming!